Should a Service Robot Bring an Alcoholic a Drink?

An anonymous reader writes: We've come to a point where care robots are being used to assist people with illnesses and mobility problems. They can bring medicine, a glass of water, food, and other items that a person may have trouble getting to on their own. But what limits should we set on these robots? Should they be able to deliver alcoholic beverages? If so, should they refuse to serve them to certain people, like children or alcoholics? The issue is complicated further because these robots may have been purchased by the patient, by the doctor or hospital (which sent it home with the patient to monitor their health), or by a concerned family member who wants to monitor their relative. The latest poll research by the Open Roboethics Initiative looked at people's attitudes about whether a care robot should prioritize its owner's wishes over those of the patient.

Comments

Should a Service Robot Bring an Alcoholic a Drink?

[DougOtto]

Yes and make sammiches.

Fridge door handle

[TerryC101]

The robot shouldn't be tasked with this judgment any more that the latch on a fridge door should be asked to keep you an your diet.

Re:Fridge door handle

[Kjella]

Do we have alcohol vending machines now?

Actually when I studied in Germany in the school cafeteria they had beer in the soda vending machine. Good times.

Oblig.

[Megahard]

Human: "Get me a drink"

Robot: "I'm sorry,sir, you've had too many."

Human: " Sudo get me a drink"

Robot: "Ok"

Re:What would a Nurse Do

[Rei]

The summary did call the person in question the robot's owner.

I think the robot should obey the owner's wishes and get them the drink. But it should sigh audibly when asked to and mumble under its breath while giving it to them. Maybe occasionally snipe at them in a passive-aggressive manner. "Should I cancel all productive activities that you had scheduled on your calendar for today?" "Would you like vodka in a glass or should I set it up as an IV drip into your arm?" "Would you like me to make a bunch of regrettable drunken Facebook posts for you, or would you rather do it yourself?"